For all of the discussion about how the Flyers reputation from promoting within is the reason the team isn't winning, there might be a simpler reason.

The team has never had a goalie.

Whether it was the Ilya Bryzgalov disaster or Ray Emery's first stint with the team, the Flyers have never been able to find a goalie they could trust come playoff time- meaning even if the coach was Ed Snider himself, the team wasn't going to win.

Which is why the team and fans have to be excited about how Steve Mason has played thus far.

Although the season is just four games young, Mason has shown sign of being the player he was in 2009 when he was nominated for the Vezina Trophy. Mason is allowing just 2.02 goals in first three starts, with a save percentage of .935. That leaves him 12th out of goalies who have played more than one game, with his save percentage falling 13th.

Mason panning out as a top-notch goalie would obviously be a huge development for the Flyers, who banked on him doing so when they passed on Los Angeles Kings' goalie Jonathan Bernier. The Flyers were to rumored to be in on Bernier this off-season, but pulled out when the price became too steep.

It's hard to argue that Mason is the better goalie than Bernier, especially since Bernier is allowing .84 goals per game in his first four starts for the Toronto Maple Leafs. Looking at a larger sample size, however, suggests the two might be closer than the stats show this season.

Through Bernier's first 66 games in the NHL, he is allowing 2.27 per game with a .917 save percentage. In Mason's first 61 games, he has virtually the same goals against average- 2.29- and save percentage- .916 percent. As for their records as a starter, Mason is 33-20-7 while Bernier is 32-21-6.

Meaning that the Flyers might have one of the top young goalies in the game on their hands, without having to give away a kings ransom like they would have for Bernier.

Do you think Mason is the real deal, or will he fall back down to earth?